Backroom bickering has started at Hawthorn over last week’s re-signing of Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and Shaun Burgoyne, with many, including Alastair Clarkson, wanting to waituntilthe Hawks’ season finished before assessing the veterans’ futures.

Harsh words have been exchanged and phrases like ‘extended rebuild’ and ‘North Melbourne’ bandied about.

Some believe at least two of the trio are still weighing up what they want to do and may back out of their contracts before final list lodgements are done, depending on the season’soutcome, but if they all stay on then there’ll definitely be the stench of milk gone past its use-by date.

History tells us that dynasties never end on a happy note, no matter what the club song may say.

#2

Harvey could be Dockers’ new Mayne man

Unbelievably, having just copped it from pillar to post for delisting four veterans to make its list a bit younger, North Melbourne has presented as front-runner for Fremantle’s ChrisMayne.

The 27-year-old has been involved in preliminary talks with the Roos and is close to committing, the deal depending on what North can offer the Dockers in return.

West Australian Aaron Black is almost certain to be the main part of the trade, but Freo is asking for more and, in a somewhat ironic twist, the Kanga’s are hoping they can somehowget Brent Harvey involved.

The games-record holder would be a perfect fit as a small forward to replace Hayden Ballantyne, but as an uncontracted player Harvey can go wherever he pleases.

It will be interesting to see if he is prepared to help out his old club after the public botching of his delisting last week.

#3

No news is good news for the AFL

Gill McLachlan stated last week that he was clueless about when the Swiss Federal Supreme Court was likely to hand down its decision on the banned Essendon players, but we’renot sure ‘clueless’ is quite accurate.

As we understand it the delay on a decision is actually at the AFL’s request.

The league is confident the ban will be upheld, but they don’t want bad timing to spoil this year’s ‘awards season’ by stripping Jobe Watson of his Brownlow.

And if the ban is overruled then a decision will need to made regarding the availability of Bulldog Stewart Crameri for the finals, with the Dogs and their ambulance-chasing presidentPeter Gordon ready to kick up a legal shitstorm.

Expect the decision to be delivered in the second week of October, just as premiership hangovers are clearing and thoughts are turning to the Spring Carnival.

#4

The Tigers’ biggest recruit

Richmond has hit the ground running in the off-season with the likely pick up of Dion Prestia from Gold Coast as well as another big name recruit being targeted in the trade period, butthe club’s biggest (both figuratively and physically) inclusion may be in the off-field department.

The Tigers are making a big play for former Geelong and Collingwood director of football Neil Balme to add some much needed balls to its football department.

Balme, a former premiership player at Richmond, is a perfect fit for a club needing to toughen up its player group, and it’s believed he’s up for the challenge.

The only thing standing in Balme’s way at the moment is some at Tigerland who fear his ruthless attitude may lead to their own weaknesses being highlighted, and see them beingshown the door.

Which is exactly why Balme should be Richmond’s number-one priority.

#5

Black hole Sun

Gold Coast is preparing to play hardball for Jaeger O’Meara, but are likely to finish up accepting whatever they can get for the 22-year-old.

Rumours are circling that Essendon will trade the first pick in November’s draft, but why would they give away this year’s No1 for an injury riddled former No1?

O’Meara wants to head to Victoria so put a line through Brisbane and Fremantle. Richmond will be using pick six on Dion Prestia, Collingwood has nothing to give and Melbourne can’tafford him.

Carlton and the Western Bulldogs are looking well placed, while Hawthorn may get involved with a package of ‘premiership players’ – though no one too impressive.

Despite talking tough the Suns can’t afford to send O’Meara to the draft, so a deal will be done and our money is on the Rising Star winner landing at the Kennel.

It’ll be interesting to see what, and who, goes in the other direction.